Marry Me Chicken is tender, juicy chicken smothered in a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and cheese. It’s a tasty 30-minute dinner made in a large skillet.
They say if you serve this chicken, it will result in a marriage proposal—it is that tasty! The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is out of this world.
You have been missing out if you haven’t heard of Marry Me Chicken yet! It’s similar to a dish you can get at Olive Garden but better! This chicken dish takes minimal effort to make at home. Serve over a bed of angel hair pasta or mashed potatoes, or eat it plain. A flavorful, tender chicken breasts recipe that is great for busy weeknights.
Check out my other easy chicken dinners: Tuscan chicken, buffalo chicken pasta, smothered chicken with gravy, or even this Swiss chicken bake.
Why You’ll Love Marry Me Chicken
- The recipe is relatively easy and quick to prepare, requiring only one pan.
- It makes for a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
- The creamy and savory sauce pairs well with the chicken cutlets, creating a balanced and flavorful dish.
- The use of sun-dried tomatoes adds a unique and tasty twist to the dish.
- The dish is customizable to personal preferences by adjusting the seasoning and adding favorite ingredients.
- It can be served with various sides such as mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or vegetables, making it a versatile meal option.
- The dish can be made in advance and reheated for later meals, making it a convenient meal prep option.
- It is a great recipe to impress guests with a restaurant-quality meal that is easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Chicken—For this recipe, you will want to use boneless, skinless chicken. You can use boneless chicken thighs or tenderloins and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Oil – You can use olive, avocado, or canola oil.
Butter – Unsalted butter is what I used for this recipe.
Garlic – Reach for jarred minced garlic or freshly minced garlic.
Heavy Cream – Heavy cream will add a rich and creamy sauce to the dish.
Parmesan – Shredded parmesan cheese adds rich and tangy flavor to the chicken dish. This makes a flavorful parmesan sauce that stands out and provides rich flavor.
Seasonings – Chili flakes, Italian seasoning, basil leaves, and better-than-bullion chicken flavor. The bullion replaces chicken stock in this recipe.
Sundried Tomatoes – Reach for a jar and use it to add flavor to this dish.
How To Make Marry Me Chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a cast iron skillet until hot. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. Remove chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
To prepare the sauce, add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, and Better Than Bouillon Chicken flavor. Stir the ingredients well and let them cook for a few minutes.
Add Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until it melts. Once the cheese is melted, add the chicken to the skillet and cook for approximately 5 minutes to reheat it.
To serve, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves over the chicken and sauce. Pair with your favorite side dishes and enjoy.
Variations
- Swap chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a different texture and flavor.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Use different types of cheese such as Gouda, Fontina, or Gruyere to switch up the flavor profile.
- Replace the heavy cream with coconut or almond milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes for a lighter and fresher taste.
- Add some white wine or chicken broth to the sauce for this Italian chicken recipe.
- Use herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika to add depth to the sauce.
- For a spicier version, increase the chili flakes or add some cayenne pepper.
- Make it a one-pan meal by adding cooked pasta or rice to the skillet and letting it simmer in the sauce.
- Grill or bake the chicken instead of pan-frying for a fun twist on this Italian chicken recipe.
Tips For Making
- Trim your skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Remove any white pieces or fatty areas before you cook. If you use large chicken breasts, cook longer or cut them into smaller pieces.
- Use a large pan to ensure that no chicken overlaps on the pan, or it can cause an uneven cook.
- Use a wooden spoon to remove any brown bits stuck on the bottom of the pan to help remove the bits and add richness to the chicken dish.
- I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure you reach a proper internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Allow your chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before plating and dishing up.
- Make sure to allow time for the flavorful sauce to cook in the pan to become thicker and become a cream sauce. Allowing it to simmer a bit enriches the flavor and thickens it.
- Allowing your chicken to get a golden brown color on the outside adds tons of flavor and texture to the dish.
FAQs
Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?
The origin of the name “Marry Me Chicken” is uncertain, but the dish is rumored to have gotten its name from its delicious and irresistible taste. The story goes that if you make it for someone, they will want to marry you.
While there is no evidence to support this claim, it is a fun and playful name for a dish that has become popular among home cooks and food bloggers. Regardless of its name, the Marry Me Chicken recipe is a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to impress anyone who tries it.
What should you serve with Marry Me Chicken?
- Pasta: Serve the chicken and sauce over your favorite pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, or penne.
- Rice: Serve the chicken and sauce over a fluffy white or brown rice bed.
- Vegetables: Roasted or steamed vegetables make a great side dish, such as broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, or green beans.
- Salad: A light and refreshing salad, such as a Caesar salad or a mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, complements the creamy chicken.
- Bread: Serve with a slice of crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the sauce.
- Potatoes: Mashed, roasted, or baked potatoes would all be delicious options.
- Grains: Quinoa, couscous, or farro would be excellent choices for the meal.
More Chicken Recipes
Here are a few more easy chicken recipes you can whip up and make for any night of the week. From simple 30-minute dinners to casseroles for a hands-off cooking approach.
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut into cutlets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 16 ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tablespoon better than boullion chicken flavored
- basil leaves as garnish optional
Instructions
- Add olive oil and butter to a cast iron skillet. Once hot, add chicken. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is done. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Prepare sauce by adding garlic and sauteeing until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream, tomatoes, and seasonings. Stir well. After it cooks for a few minutes, add the parmesan cheese.
- After the cheese has melted, add the chicken back to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes to reheat the chicken. Serve with extra parmesan cheese, chopped basil and your favorite side dishes.
Equipment
- Kitchen Knives
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